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  1. A US intelligence release of new information about American-funded biolabs in Ukraine confirms Russia’s suspicions that the research had a military dimension, the Russian Ministry of Defense has said.

    Last week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a statement regarding a network of 120 laboratories in 30 countries, including Ukraine. She said the disclosure was intended to set the record straight after what she described as a deliberate cover-up by previous administrations.

    Gabbard confirmed that some of the facilities were involved in gain-of-function research, a controversial field aimed at making pathogens more dangerous, ostensibly to help develop vaccines before similar mutations arise naturally. Russia and other countries have long argued that such studies can serve as a cover for military programs banned under the Biological Weapons Convention.

    “We consider the published documents to be the latest proof that the Kiev regime is violating its obligations under the Convention,” General Aleksey Rtishchev, head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, said during a briefing on Friday.

    “All the accusations that the Russian Federation is spreading disinformation and engaging in hybrid warfare to deceive the international community are absolutely false,” he added.

    Rtishchev was responding to Western officials and media outlets that have dismissed previous Russian claims on the issue as “propaganda.” Moscow says a complex network of public and private entities was used to obscure the aims of laboratory work in Ukraine.

    The Russian briefing came hours after another disclosure by Gabbard, this one focused on the possible role of gain-of-function research in the origins of Covid-19. She accused Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served as a White House adviser on the pandemic under two US administrations, of steering investigations toward the natural-origin theory, allegedly to protect himself.

    Fauci directed US funding of research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology while serving as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022.

    https://www.rt.com/russia/641834-russia-biolabs-vindicated-mod/

  2. The Russia’s giant imperialist vampire squid jams its blood funnel into Africa

    Russia’s Deceptive War Recruitment Scheme Ensnares Thousands of Young Africans
    By the Africa Center for Strategic Studies
    May 19, 2026
    https://africacenter.org/spotlight/russia-deceptive-war-recruitment-ensnares-africans/

    Russia’s bait-and-switch conscription of Africans for its war in Ukraine exposes an extensive pipeline of human trafficking, coercion, and foreign interference that is exploiting vulnerable job seekers…..
    …..Russia has built a deceptive recruitment pipeline that preys on African job seekers and students, channeling them into Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Investigations reveal a recurring pattern. Young Africans are promised civilian work, sports opportunities, study programs, or legal status in Russia, only to arrive and be pressured to sign Russian-language military contracts.
    This scheme is intended to address Russia’s growing shortage of foot soldiers. Moscow needs roughly 30,000–35,000 new recruits each month to offset battlefield losses along the 1,200-km front line while avoiding a politically risky general mobilization of the Russian population…..

    From Al Jazeera:
    ‘Our children were sold off’: The South Africans sent to fight Russia’s war
    Men ‘lured’ into fighting in the Ukraine war say Africans were subjected to worse treatment on the front lines.
    By Chris Makhaye
    5 Mar 2026
    https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/5/our-children-were-sold-off-the-south-africans-sent-to-fight-russias-war

    Durban, South Africa – When Sipho Dlamini* stepped off a plane from Russia, returning home to the South African port city of Durban last week, he carried nothing but the clothes on his back…..
    ….Dlamini is one of more than a dozen South Africans repatriated from Russia, where they say they were lured under false pretences and thrust onto the front lines of the war in Ukraine – mirroring the experience of other African men from countries including Kenya and Zimbabwe.
    In November last year, it came to light that several South Africans aged between 20 and 39 had been sent to Russia for what they believed would be security training. But soon after, they were conscripted into a paramilitary group and sent to fight in Ukraine.
    At the centre of the controversy is Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla – a daughter of South Africa’s former president, Jacob Zuma – who resigned as a lawmaker in December after she was implicated in the recruitment drive and the police opened an investigation against her.
    The recruits, many from the Zumas’ home region of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, returned after current President Cyril Ramaphosa reached out to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for support in the matter, the presidency said last week…….
    …..“We were told we’d be trained as VIP bodyguards,” said Thabo Khumalo*, a 28-year-old who told Al Jazeera that Zuma-Sambudla and her stepmother were at the forefront of recruiting the men.
    “Initially, she pretended to be going to Russia to receive us. But later we learned she had never left South Africa, even though she pretended to be on the front line in our WhatsApp chat group,” he said. “That’s how we ended up in the trenches.”
    Thulani Mahlangu, a spokesperson for the returnees’ families, says Zuma-Sambudla, 43, and her associates were allegedly paid at least 14 million rand (about $845,000) by Russia’s Wagner Group to secure the services of the men.
    “Our children were sold off,” said one parent. “They were promised jobs, but instead they were used.”
    In a statement that Zuma-Sambudla submitted to police last year, she claimed she had been a “victim” herself, alleging she was deceived by promises of lucrative security contracts in Russia.
    After the story first broke in South African media, Zuma‑Sambudla was forced to step down from her position in parliament, where she represented her father’s opposition uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party….
    …..while former President Zuma’s own attempts to secure the men’s release failed. It was Ramaphosa who eventually convinced Putin to allow their repatriation…..
    …..At the start of their contracts in Russia, several of the men told Al Jazeera, they were paid a lump sum of 80,000 rand (about $4,800) – money they quickly sent home when they realised the conditions of their employment.
    “I gave it to my mother immediately,” Khumalo said. “I thought I’d die there.”
    In Russia, the recruits were issued military uniforms and weapons, and given barely a week of basic drills, they said.
    We were cannon fodder. Some of us didn’t even know how to fire properly before they pushed us forward,” Khumalo said….
    …..More than 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries had been identified among the Russian ranks, Ukraine’s foreign minister said in November. Among those who have died on the front lines are casualties from Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and other nations, according to reports….
    ….Cameroon has reported dozens of deaths, while Zimbabwe and South Africa have also confirmed fatalities among their citizens…..
    …..After Pretoria opened up diplomatic channels with Moscow, the South African men were repatriated in two separate batches – first four returned, then 11 a week later.
    But not all came home unscathed: One returned in a wheelchair while another lost his leg in a drone strike and ended up in a Russian hospital, Mahlangu, the spokesperson for the families said.
    Two South Africans are also known to have died in Russia, the government said last week…..

    From YouTube:
    How were so many Africans lured to fight for Russia?
    BBC News Africa
    1.91M subscribers
    263K views Jun 9, 2026
    Produced and filmed by Hassan Lali
    Produced and edited by Kathy Harcombe
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B6hNvpqwbI&t=13s

    …..for one group, the uncertainty is even deeper: those who’ve been captured.
    The BBC’s Sammy Awami gained rare access to a prisoner-of-war facility in western Ukraine, where African men are now caught between war, politics, and an uncertain future…..

    Do these sound like the tactics an imperialist super-power confident of winning the war in Ukraine?
    Or do they feel more like the desparate acts of a flailing wannabe imperialist power?

  3. Guerilla Surgeon says:
    18 June 2026 at 12:25 pm
    “….Russia has a far greater population base than Ukraine”

    Yup. That’s true. The implication being that Russia will win because Russia is bigger and therefore more powerful than Ukaine.
    It’s a false premise.
    The Soviet Union was big, but bigger is not better. In 1991 the Soviet Union fell apart and ceased to exist almost overnight.

    Guerilla Surgeon asks us; “Do we know what’s going to happen if both countries fully mobilise?”

    Yes ‘we’ do. Because, Ukraine is already fully mobilised.

    From Wikipedia
    General mobilization in Ukraine was announced on February 24, 2022, in connection with the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukrai…Wikipedia Show all
    Ukraine has been under a state of general mobilization and martial law since February 24, 2022, which legally prohibits most military-aged men from leaving the country and requires them to be available for conscription.
    The mobilization and conscription system operates as follows.
    Age and Conscription:
    All Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are considered liable for military service.

    From DW News
    Ongoing Enforcement:
    The military continuously updates its system to replenish troop numbers, balance frontline rotations, and track draft dodgers using a combination of the Reserve+ app, the ‘Obereg’ electronic register, and on-the-ground recruitment patrols.
    Economic Mobilization:
    The broader Ukrainian state economy has also been heavily reorganized to sustain the military, with the government explicitly gearing production toward defense needs.5 sitesUkraine’s economy fully mobilised for war production,
    ……Mobilisation Units go after draft dodgers
    …..military is facing an acute manpower crisis as the war with Russia drags on desertions are at critical levels

    So We know how full mobilisation is going in Ukraine. And it’s not great.

    But we also know how partial mobilisation is going in Russia. And it’s not great either.

    Just the prospect of forced deployment caused hundreds of thousands of Russian men to flee to neighboring countries like Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EeChXfDMPg

    Rather than declaring a full mobilization, the Kremlin has been financially incentivizing volunteers, and then extending the contracts of the volunteers from what was initially agreed.
    In response, mothers and wives of the volunteers have been protesting against the extension of the deployment of the men on the front lines past their agreed contracts.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-07/wives-and-mothers-of-mobilised-soldiers-challenge-vladimir-putin/103520022

    Other recruitment methods being used by the Kremlin short of full mobilisation.
    Offering full pardons to prison recruits.
    Initially, Russia offered full, formal presidential pardons and expunged criminal records in exchange for a 6-month combat tour in Ukraine. Now convicts have to sign indefinite military contracts to receive a pardon.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3k0ivwENf0&t=36s

    Recruiting Syrian and Africans.
    https://www.euronews.com/2026/06/18/moscow-uses-russian-houses-in-africa-to-lure-recruits-into-war-in-ukraine-investigation-sh
    Calling on North Korea, Russia’s ally to send troops.
    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/north-korea-confirms-sent-troops-russia-calling-heroes-rcna203245

    While Ukraine admittedly has big problems with full mobilisation, the big multi-ethnic Russian Federation’s problems with full mibilsation will be even greater, possibly even leading to further break up of the Russian empire.

    1. Neither country is fully mobilised for various reasons. Russia is not going to be able to fully mobilise until the “Rodina”is in danger. Which it isn’t. Ukraine can’t fully mobilise either, given that a lot of people simply don’t seem to want to fight, and it needs to pay for the war, partly from taxes. It’s all very well to say that you’re fully mobilised but we know that hasn’t happened.
      I suggest that until it actually happens which it won’t, we still won’t know.

      1. Guerilla Surgeon says:
        20 June 2026 at 5:05 pm
        Neither country is fully mobilised……

        Whatever.

        Ukrainian males between 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country during martial law.
        https://dopomoha.org.ua/en/exceptions-to-the-restriction-which-prohibits-men-to-leave-the-territory-of-ukraine/

        Compulsory enlistment in Ukraine begins at age 25 years, (reduced from age 27 in April 2024).
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Ukraine#

        Under martial law, all Ukrainian males between the ages of 25 and 60 are subject to mandatory mobilization.
        https://us.dk/media/1lfhoulf/ukraine-mobiliseringentryexitfinal.pdf

        Enlistment for 18–24-year-olds and over 60’s is voluntary.

        Ukrainian men over 60 can enlist if they pass a medical exam and receive a unit commander’s approval.
        There is no compulsory drafting of individuals over 60, or under 25.
        https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-zelenskyy-signs-law-for-over-60s-to-join-military/live-73445167

        From CNN:
        Russia’s overwhelming manpower advantage against Ukraine is starting to wane
        By Lauren Kent
        Jun 14, 2026
        https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/14/europe/russia-manpower-problem-ukraine-war-intl

        What would you do with an $80,000 bonus, more than quadruple the amount of an average annual salary? Or with $140,000 in debt relief?….
        …..this is the first war in Russia’s history in which the state is paying citizens to fight rather than forcing them – and that is leading to economic strain and manpower issues.
        …..Putin will likely be forced to make more unpopular decisions this year if he wants to continue his invasion of Ukraine.
        After all, if a potential military recruit was unwilling to take a hefty signing bonus last year, it is unclear what would make them change their mind now,
        …..forced mobilization of troops, coupled with measures like curtailing the freedom of citizens to leave the country – particularly men of conscription age. That’s something Putin has been keen to avoid, after the first “partial mobilization” proved hugely unpopular and caused many Russians to emigrate…..

        The point is this; Russian men of conscription age that, have not voluntarilly enlisted, are not any more likely to want to enlist, now.

    2. Excellent rebuttal, Pat.

      Recent news suggests that Russia has begun small-scale forced mobilisation. It will be interesting to see how that goes down with the public.

      Regardless of numbers, the average Russian soldier receives minimal training, very poor support through degraded logistics and with often incompetent tactical orders. Also, moral among the troops is very low.

      Regardless , Ukraine has more than enough drones and pilots to destroy any new conscripts.

      No matter what, Putin is doomed.

  4. “Ukraine’s plan is working – What next?”
    Well, call me ignorant and old fashioned if you must but I’d say Europe will become flat, it will smoulder and will glow in the dark.
    And all this because of one old man who paints his wattles orange.
    Is this Hell during a comic opera phase? Something like Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado’s Three Little Maids. Think trump, putin and zelensky in drag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXWkIZUPmDY

    1. countryboy says:
      19 June 2026 at 9:38 am
      “….all this because of one old man who paints his wattles orange.”
      “…..like Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado’s Three Little Maids. Think trump, putin and zelensky in drag”

      Being serious for a minute.
      This is not about the individual leaders.

      Imperialism is an economic system based on eternal limitless growth. While these leaders may reflect that mantra, they are only servants of it.
      But as Greenpeace say; “Infinite growth is impossible on a finite planet”

      Imperialists disregard this fact and readily crash through all man made and natural borders in their reckless pursuit of endless growth. Pollution/climate change, war – Colonise humanity, colonise nature, is disaster for both.

      These leaders look crazy and reckless to us, they have to be crazy and reckless, because the economic imperialism they serve is crazy and requires leaders that are reckless.

  5. Yes Private Morgan, the plan is to surround the Chinese. Indeed they do have all the gallium and rare earths, so forget modern weaponry, we will be using a viciously sharp slice of mango.

  6. “History demonstrates that a defensive battle inflicts more casualties on the attacker.”

    History also demonstrates that Russia has a far greater population base than Ukraine. Do we know what’s going to happen if both countries fully mobilise? A lot of people trying to avoid service that’s for sure in both countries. Maybe more resistance to the war in Russia though.

  7. The headstone on humanity will read ” They seemed like a good idea at the time.”
    ( Not one of mine.)

  8. Yesterday, June 17 2026, US Southern Command carried out another bloody missile strike on a small boat in the Eastern Pacific.
    The US Navy Southern Command said the strike killed one person and left two survivors.
    The Southern command did not order a second strike to kill the survivors, but also made no effort to rescue them.
    Southern Command said that they had notified the US Coast Guard to conduct a search for the survivors.
    No report has been released that the two survivors were found and rescued by the US Coast Guard, or what became of them.

    My guess, they were left to drown.

    From ABC News:
    US strike on an alleged drug boat kills 1, leaves 2 survivors in the eastern Pacific Ocean
    The U.S. military has attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one man and leaving two survivors
    ByThe Associated Press
    June 17, 2026
    https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/us-strike-alleged-drug-boat-kills-1-leaves-133946763

    The U.S. military attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, killing one man and leaving two survivors, as the Trump administration continues its monthslong campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America.
    The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 208 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September…..
    …..The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. A video posted on X showed a boat traveling in the water before being hit by the strike and bursting into flames……

    ,,,,Southern Command said it “immediately notified U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.”
    …The strikes have drawn intense scrutiny from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars. The U.S. military’s first strike in early September drew particular concern from some lawmakers and those who study military law.
    Two men on the boat initially survived the attack that killed nine others, and they were clinging to the wreckage when the vessel was struck again, killing them. The White House confirmed the follow-up strike, insisting it was done “in self-defene” to ensure the boat was destroyed and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict……

    I mention this here because, in line with Ben Morgan’s policy of covering up US atrociities, I know Ben Morgan will mention it nowhere.

    It quite possible that the US warship that carried out this latest attack in the Easterm Pacific will be involved in the RIMPAC SINKEX training of the the HMNZS Te Mana commanded by JK Thompson.

    Sick stuff